their factory there, notified others near there to come to
their aid, in order to attack the ship with its three hundred persons,
which is supplied with arms and force sufficiently abundant for its
defense. Some evil outcome is feared, for the ship cannot leave the
bar without unlading its goods.

The persecution in Japon is even more bloody, for they returned
his present to the ambassador from Macan, and ordered him to return
home. A governor was sent down with orders to kill the Christians
and the captive religious whom he should find. In short, the order
has gone forth to suppress trade with Macan and Filipinas, and that
no ships be received from, or leave Japon for, these regions.

It has been learned by way of Macan that the Chinese seized from the
Dutch their almiranta.

With the severe persecution of Japon, we are advised that four hundred
Catholics have been slain for the faith. While two cavaliers were
present at the martyrdom _irruit spiritus Domini_, [27] and they
went forth in public, crying out: "Surely this is a good faith that
teaches so lofty things. Salvation cometh only by it, as is proven
by so many dying in order not to abandon it." Thus crying out and
acting, they went running into the fire, where they were burned,
leaving the bystanders amazed, and all the world marveling at so
wonderful an example.

It is rumored that beyond doubt the emperor of Japon will order
Nangazaqui to be razed, and all the Europeans driven out and
exiled--commanding that they depart with their children and wives;
but that, if the wives are Japanese, they as well as their daughters
must be given up, and the sons be taken away.

_Laus Deo_

Printed with permission of Don Luys Remirez de Arellano, deputy-mayor
of Sevilla.

Printed in Sevilla by Juan de Cabrera, opposite the post-office. The
year 1626.

DOCUMENTS OF 1627

Importance of the Philippines. Martin Castano; [undated;
1627?].
Relation of 1626. [Unsigned and undated; _ca._ 1627].
Letter to Tavora. Felipe IV; September 3.
Laws regarding the Sangleys. [From _Recopilacion de leyes de
las Indias_]; 1594-1627.
Decrees regarding the religious. Felipe IV; May-November.
Decrees regarding the Chinese. Felipe IV; September 10 and
November 19.
Inadvisability of a Spanish post on the island of Formosa. Juan
Cevicos; December 20.

_Sources_: The first, fifth, and seventh of these documents are
obtained